Perilous Love

by J A Essen

  “Why didn’t you finish the task? Why not kill me?”

  “I’m not sure. It just didn’t seem, fair.”

  “Well, since you’ve been so forthcoming, I suppose I will give you a little something in return. My name is Edana, and I’m an Elven Druid.” I leave out the princess part. No point in giving away that much. “Years ago, during my Awakening, I was out with my mother learning about shifting in these woods, when a group of hunters slayed her. I committed their faces to memory and vowed to exact my revenge when I was old enough and had been trained properly.”

  “Awakening?” he asks.

  “That is what we call it when our powers first manifest themselves. We are not born with the ability to shift, but rather have it thrust upon us suddenly as we grow.”

  I try to stand up and stretch my legs, being careful to keep the blanket wrapped tightly around me, but things start to go sideways, and I stumble. I can see Faudron lunge toward me, and I drop the blanket as I try to stretch my arms out to absorb my impending painful collapse, but the jolt never happens. He manages to catch my limp body and carefully sits with me in his arms. My vision is narrowing again, but the last thing I see before I lose consciousness are the most comforting, deep green eyes and I hear him say, “Sleep now. I have you. You. Are. Safe.”

  Chapter 7

  I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself. As she sleeps across my lap, I slowly trail my fingertips over her pale, smooth skin. Up her languid arm, then turning my hand over, I skim across her breast with the back of my fingers, running them all the way down her side and flipping back over as I caress her hip and ass, squeezing just for a moment. This creature is without a doubt, the thing dreams are made of.

  Twirling her lavender hair around and around in my hand, I contemplate what to do next.

  If I don’t return to King Nathair with the head of “the beast,” a new champion will be acquired and… yeah, I don’t even want to think about it. So what am I going to do then?

  Edana stirs, but doesn’t wake; dreaming perhaps.

  I lean back against the cave wall and close my eyes, letting my mind formulate a plan. All of the accounts of the encounters with the beast have varied in descriptions. Guesses have ranged from a large wolf to a tusked boar, and, as I encountered, a bear. Since there is no definitive account, whatever is presented will most likely not be questioned so long as it is large and menacing.

  Grabbing the blanket, I cover Edana’s beautiful curves to warm her now slightly trembling body. The friction against my lap is causing certain stirrings, and we can’t be having that right now.

  Cautiously sliding out from underneath her, I slip in beside her body, allowing the fire to warm her from the front and my body to do the same from behind. Reaching for my duffle, I place it between my back and the cave wall to keep the cold stone from making direct contact. Laying my head on my outstretched arm, I smirk and decide to put my plan into motion at first light.

  *****

  As I step out of the cave and gaze at the sky, I’m truly amazed at the beauty. Ethereal streaks of light burst over the horizon as the sun begins to push the moon away, shattering the darkness and breathing life into a fresh, new day. Valiant is stretching his legs, pacing near the entrance, ready for a new adventure. Soon my friend, soon.

  With my quiver attached to my back and my bow restrung, I head out into the woods searching for the kill I need to convince King Nathair that the threat to his people has been vanquished. Creeping stealthily along, my thoughts return to the magnificent creature still asleep in the cave. Why me? Is this destiny? Her beauty is so much more than anything I have ever beheld. I don’t need this…

  There, just beyond a large, fallen ash are two feral boars feasting on a deer carcass. The closest is decent, but the one behind; perfect. Silently, I strafe to my right, passing one foot over the other, lining my target up. Judiciously, I pull the string on the bow back, the shaft of the arrow sliding along my thumb until the arrowhead is resting on my fingertips. I hold my breath and release my grip.

  Never have I landed a more perfect shot; straight through the rib cage and into the heart. The beast twitches and moves two steps, then drops onto its side, the other running from the scene. Throwing the bow over my shoulder, I draw my stinger and approach cautiously. Reaching the animal, I draw my sword along its throat, letting the remaining life drain quickly, painlessly.

  I allow a few moments to pass before I sever the head from the body. Using a transforming spell, I give the beast an elongated snout and cropped ears, making it appear to be something of an unknown. Placing the disfigured head onto a ground cloth, I bring the four corners together, tie them, and then run a cord around and under the knots so that I may drag it back to the cave where Valiant is waiting on our return trip.

  Edana is stirring when I return. “I have dried meat and bread in my satchel. Please, help yourself. There is water in my flask.”

  “Thank you.”

  She takes some of the bread and the water and moves in toward the dying fire. Dragging a few large logs, I place them atop the embers, and it doesn’t take long before the dry wood catches, bringing much warmth back into the cave.

  “I must return to the king with proof that his ‘beast’ has been slain. If not, a new hunter will be found and sent out. There will undoubtedly be a feast and party in my honor, not that I desire it at this point, but I will have to let things play out to avoid raising suspicion. Please wait here for me. I will return tomorrow. Rest today and your body should be well enough to travel safely by the time I make it back.”

  She nods her head while nibbling on the bread. As I turn to leave her angelic voice causes me to halt.

  “Thank you for sparing my life.” Wrapped in my blanket, her lavender hair falling over her shoulders and her blue eyes beginning to sparkle, she has an aura about her that I find difficult to leave. “Be careful, Faudron.”

  Lashing my trophy and mounting up onto Valiant’s back, I glance back at her, “I will.”

  *****

  The day has warmed up a decent amount as I clear the forest’s edge and see the walls of Dun Felmar. Spurring Valiant, we ride hard towards the main gate. I want my promised reward, but more importantly, I want to get back to Edana.

  Clearing the guards, we trot proudly through the streets of the lower district, the bloody package lashed to Valiant’s rear a sign to the people that their troubles and worries are over. There are cheers and ‘thanks’, and it feels great to be appreciated for defeating their adversary. I just hope that Edana has no plans of finishing what she has started.

  Word has already made it to the castle before I even arrive, and King Nathair and Prince Carac are outside waiting near the stables.

  “Congratulations, Faudron and thank you. Please, if you will.” Nathair points toward the bloody package strapped to my friend.

  I un-lash and lower it to the ground, draw my stinger and slice away the bindings around the gathered material, letting it fall away. All the jostling along the journey back has spread the blood, giving the face an even more menacing appearance.

  “So this foul beast is what was killing our people?” Carac eyes the unusual creature as he speaks. “What is it?”

  “Well, besides dead, I’m not sure; possibly something created by dark magic. It appeared similar to an uncharacteristically large boar from my vantage point when I struck it with my arrow. However, upon reaching it, well, you can see for yourself. It’s definitely something else.”

  “Nonetheless, our champion has rid the forest of this menace, and we can once again hunt the prized game in peace.” King Nathair reaches his hand out, and I shake it firmly. “Now, I’m sure you want to clean up and rest perhaps before tonight’s festivities.”

  Ugh, just as I figured. Can’t you just give me my payment and let me be gone?!

  “That would be welcome indeed, your highness.”

  We walk back toward the castle and Carac motions to one of the maiden’s hangin
g sheets to dry, “Please see our champion, Faudron, to quarters.” Turning to me, “Rest well and we will see you this evening.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  I follow the lovely young woman, but can hear whispers behind me as I do. “Doubt” is the only word I catch, and it has the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. Surely they don’t suspect anything.

  Chapter 8

  Rolling my head back and forth on my shoulders, I crack my neck and then stretch my legs. I slept better than I thought I would last night after the feast and festivities. In addition to my promised monetary payment, I was offered my choice of the unmarried young ladies attending the revelries. They were all truly beautiful, and honestly, as wound up as I currently am, explaining to the King that I have no plans of settling down and raising a family was extremely difficult. Especially, since all I wanted to do was bed each and every one of them.

  We agreed then that two new full sets of leather armor, a new saddle, and full grooming care for Valiant would be more than an adequate substitution.

  I’m ready to return to Edana and as such, I begin to dress in anticipation of seeing where all of this will lead. My new attire fits perfectly. I place the old, which has been cleaned, and the new, extra set, into my bag, and tie it closed. My sword is lashed to my waist, and bow and quiver stored where they belong. Grabbing the bag, I make my way out of the room and down the corridors leading out to the stables.

  Valiant is a sight to behold. His coat is gleaming, and the fresh, brown saddle looks welcoming indeed. Stowing my gear, I unlash him from the tie-up post, and we walk out into the bright morning sun. “Ready my friend? We have a long travel ahead of us and more adventures to be had.” I say this intentionally louder than I need to in case any prying ears are listening.

  Flinging my leg over, and giving him a loving pop on the neck, we are off. Outside the front gate, we head east and ride for most of the morning. Rolling hills and sparse pockets of trees fly by as we push hard. At midday, I turn us northwesterly so that we are now heading back towards the Mountains of Dubh and the cave where Edana is recovering. IF we were being followed, we should’ve convinced them by now that we have no reason to stay in this kingdom.

  This has put us considerably out of the way, but Valiant is showing no signs of fatigue, so we continue to push on at break-speed. Midafternoon brings us to within eyesight of the edge of the gloomy forest and the waterfall cascading down in the background.

  Why does Edana have such a hold on my thoughts? I have seen, and had, plenty of beautiful women in my limited days. They were all just physical pursuits, though. There’s never been anything more to it; no desire for there TO be either. So why is it that I find myself so drawn to her? The feeling is deeper than carnal desire; NEED to be with her rather than a WANT. A feeling of totality.

  We pull up alongside the black, granite mountains and follow them to the bend where the cave is hidden. Hopping off of my trusty steed’s back, I remove my things and leave him to walk as he pleases. I never have to worry about him leaving. Our kindred relationship is symbiotic.

  Rounding into the mouth of the cave, I drop everything, including my jaw. Edana is lying across the blanket, her stunning body naked and uncovered. I stand there in complete awe and leisurely rake my eyes from top to bottom and back again. Her nipples are taught and peaked from the cool breeze, and the way her breasts rise and fall with her steady, sleeping breaths is hypnotic. The fingers of her hands are intertwined and resting just below her stomach. There is a small spattering of hair visible from the junction just above her crossed legs.

  I’m instantaneously aroused, and that feeling of NEED has returned even more so; almost as if part of me is lying there, needing to be reattached to be whole again. She must have sensed me because I’m unable to move, so there is no way I disturbed her. Stretching her arms down her body, she forces her breasts together, and they peak magnificently. She rolls my direction, “Good afternoon?” She questions, obviously unsure of how much time has passed.

  I cut my eyes away finally out of respect.

  “I’m not ashamed of my body. Do you see me scurrying to hide anything from you?”

  “No, but…”

  “Then look upon me. I like the primal look in your eyes I saw when I woke just now; the lusty NEED in them.”

  She stands completely and walks toward me. Moving the long tendrils of hair back over her ears, the magical air about her returns. She’s much shorter than I, her head only just reaching my chest. She looks up at me and raises her hand to my right cheek, running the backs of her slender fingers over my jawline, under my chin, and then turning her hand over, up my left cheek and into my wavy, chestnut locks.

  “Kiss me,” she requests in an almost whisper.

  Gently, I take her face in my hands and tilt her head backward. Leaning forward, I run my nose up her cheek and breathe her in deeply; her smooth skin smelling sweet and earthy. Brushing across her lips with my thumb, I can feel the cool intake of air as she parts her lips minimally from the touch. Sliding my lips sideways over hers, I use the tip of my tongue to tease her. Grabbing her bottom lip between my teeth, I pull lightly before letting go. Turning my head, I place my lips against hers again and use my tongue to open her willing mouth, giving me access to let our tongues explore one another. She’s aggressive and begins to suck on my tongue, pulling it firmly into her mouth, sending a warm flush across my skin from shock and desire.

  Grabbing her ass, I lift her onto me and walk out into the warm sunlight, sitting us both down on a stump; her naked core straddling the massive erection painfully restrained by my trousers. Our mouths are crashing against one another’s, tongues exploring the exploding desire mounting between us. She finally breaks the contact and grabs at the bottom of my green leather tunic, removing it up and over my head with more grace and ease than I would have thought possible from someone so small.

  Placing the palms of her hands flat on my chest, she runs her fingers through the thick covering of hair, her eyes widen in wonder. Tracing the dips of the muscles in my stomach with her nails, I hold on to the stump and lean back, the sensations driving me mad. With my eyes closed and head to the sky, I’m unaware of the extent of her lust, and without warning, I feel her teeth latch onto one of my nipples and give it a slight tug; a low, animalistic growl emanating from deep inside her.

  Snapping my head back, I slap her ass, and when she looks at me, her eyes are a deep, sultry blue, not the normal sparkling ice blue. This creature NEEDS something from me; something I desperately WANT to give her.

  Reaching down between us, I undo the knot on my trousers, but she puts her hands on mine before I can go any further.

  “Not here.” A cougar-like throat growl following. “To the water,” she motions toward the waterfall and stream nearby.

  Hoisting her petite form into my arms, I travel as quickly as my legs will allow; a desire to possess like nothing I have ever known coursing through my veins. We reach the water’s edge, and I place her on her feet. She takes my hand and leads me to the wall of rocks, damp with spray from the waterfall pouring into the stream several meters in front of us. Sliding her hands into my trousers on each hip, she pushes them down, allowing me to step out, and stands back, drinking me in.

  Taking me by the hand once again, she pulls me toward a small, bubbling pool of water. “Here, It’s warm.”

  We step in, and the water is like a freshly drawn bath, warming our chilled skin. As I sink down into the deepest portion, she swims over to me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and pulling herself into me. I can feel the heat of her core pressing my cock into my stomach as her mouth explores my ears.

  “So much smaller than ours.” She utters as her tongue traces the outline.

  Then she whispers the words that catch me completely off guard.

  “I’ve never done this before. Show me.” She reaches her hand under the water and grabs ahold of my cock.

  Closing my eyes, I say a small pra
yer of thanks as I bite my lower lip. Taking her back to the shallows, I lay her slightly pinked body such that her head is on dry land, and her body descends into a slight amount of water. Dragging the head of my length up and down her center, I can feel the difference between the water and her slick desire.

  “I’m going to be gentle, but this is still going to hurt the first time.”

  Placing my hands on either side of her neck, I run my fingers slowly down, feeling the beat of her pulse beginning to quicken in anticipation. Palms down, I leisurely skim the outsides of her breasts, testing their weight and teasing at her nipples, causing them to peak up very firmly. I lean into her body and take one in my mouth, sucking and nibbling, causing it to elongate even further. Her fingers are buried in my hair, and I can hear the guttural sounds I long for emanating from within her.

  I spread her lips with my crown, and slowly sink into her until I feel the resistance I was expecting. “Ready?”

  She nods her head.

  With a quick thrust I break through and she’s mine. Her fingers bury into the muddy bank, and her lips curl as a primal growl creeps over them. Slowly I pull back, and as I do, her eyes fly open, wild and animalistic. She grabs my hips and with a force I wouldn’t have thought possible from her petite frame, and pulls me completely back into her core. Reaching up to my shoulders, she drags the nails of both hands down my back, causing me to arch and press our bodies together even more completely.

  She’s transformed. Not physically on the outside, but deep down she’s an animal; right here and now with me. It’s obvious that there is no gentle love-making to be had. This is raw; carnal. I pivot my hips and fuck her hard; driving my shaft deep inside her tight, quivering pussy. She’s gripping me unbelievably with her essence, and her sounds are pulling me down into her mindset.